Armetta Givens Whitmore was one of four children born to Henry Sr. and Catherine Givens on October 17, 1929, in the city of Saint Louis. She is preceded in death by both parents and her brothers Robert and Leon Givens.
Armetta was a product of the St. Louis Public Schools and is listed as a distinguished member of the Sumner High School Hall of Fame. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Harris Teachers College, and her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
It was at Harris-Stowe Teachers College that she met and fell in love with Artie Vernon Whitmore. They married in 1948 and shared 61 years of marriage actively involved in the lives of their four children: Vernon, Arthur, Deborah and Michael. She continued as matriarch of the family until her passing. Armetta was preceded in death by Artie and Michael.
As a pair of devoted parents, Artie and Armetta shared a life -long love of learning and instilled this in the lives of their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and children of their many friends and neighbors.
Armetta was inducted into the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She remained active and supportive of the Delta mission and goals throughout her life.
Armetta’s long and distinguished career teaching and working as an administrator in the St. Louis Public Schools and at Harris-Stowe Teachers College lasting almost five decades, until her retirement in 2008.
Her administrative roles at Harris-Stowe Teachers College include the following: director, Urban-Rural Teacher Renewal Program; assistant dean of Instruction; Title III Project coordinator; director of Student Teaching; Pathways to Teaching Careers Program supervisor and director; Special Academic Program director.
Armetta was active in the West Side Missionary Baptist Church for more than 60 years. She experienced great joy as a youth counselor for many years and enjoyed studying the Bible and attending Bible study classes regularly. West Side Christian Academy selected Armetta to receive the first “Distinguished Service Award.”
Armetta received several recognitions and honors from professional and academic organizations, including: Governor’s Awards in Excellence in Teaching; Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education; Distinguished Alumni Council of Harris Stowe State College; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter; Board of Directors, Learning Tree Intergenerational Center; Harris-Stowe State College Alumni Association and included in the fifth edition of “Who’s Who Among America’ Teachers.”
Armetta treasured the time she spent traveling with her husband Artie. They visited many exotic places such as Madrid, Paris, Bermuda, Rome, St. Croix, Athens, London, Vancouver and the Caribbean Islands. She also enjoyed trips with her Couple’s Club to many cities in the United States. She loved visiting family in California, Las Vegas, Texas and Canada.
Armetta departed this life on August 11, 2017, and will be missed.
She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories her loving children Vernon Whitmore (Linda), Arthur Whitmore (Geri) and Deborah Whitmore Robinson; her grandchildren Stanley Whitmore Davis, Esq., Kimberly Whitmore Lee, Adriel Whitmore, Aisha Whitmore-Love, William Robinson II, Andrew Whitmore and Christopher Whitmore. She is also survived by six great -grandchildren; Jada Davis, Jena Davis, Jelani Whitmore, Jalen Whitmore, Mitchell Whitmore, Dominic Whitmore and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and many close friends.
